[1][note 1] The vessel departed Broome, Western Australia on 4 June for Darwin, Northern Territory on a voyage plagued with mechanical and radio problems.

An attempt to sail the next day showed further repairs needed and a return to anchorage with radio failure making reports impossible.

On 8 June the ship got underway, passing through Rogers Straits before anchoring and making further rudder checks before crossing Joseph Bonaparte Gulf for Darwin.

[2] Grass Snake was part of a group of ships that entered Makassar on 21 September 1945 to land occupying troops and provide logistics support.

During that time Naval Officer in Charge, Moluccas, ordered searches, both air and sea including a trace of the supposed route by HMAS Gascoyne (K354), and inquiry of Dutch officials[note 2] for any reports of Grass Snake had been fruitless.